Religious Foundations of Western Civilization: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Religion defines the foundations of the West. Christianity, meeting at specific times and places with Judaism and Islam, from ancient times to the present day, has formed the basis for Western civilization. The confrontation between Islam and Christianity brought centuries of strife; the conflict between Judaism and Christianity precipitated an unending debate, full of recrimination. Nevertheless, the three religions defined for the West the human situation; determined the goals of the social order; influenced the arts, architecture, music, and literature; preserved philosophy, science, and technology; and engaged one another in religious, political, and cultural dialogue.